Today’s movie: The Count of Monte Cristo

Finding ourselves free this afternoon, we took advantage of the matinee prices to see the latest big screen version of Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo; IMDB lists at least six previous films with this title. Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, and Dagmara Dominczyk (new hottie alert) are all strong in one of the oldest love triangles in literature. I also liked Michael Wincott as the warden Dorleac, he reminded me of a Michael Des Barre who could actually act, and Richard Harris as Dantes’ prison mentor. Jay Wolpert (screenplay) and Kevin Reynolds (direction) give us a nicely paced, visually attractive film with Reynolds definitely moving up in class after previously specializing in Kevin Costner bombs–Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and especially Waterworld. Recommended